Corneal hydrops is an uncommon complication seen in people with advanced keratoconus or other corneal ectatic disorders, and is characterized by stromal edema due to leakage of

aqueous humor The aqueous humour is a transparent water-like fluid similar to plasma, but containing low protein concentrations. It is secreted from the ciliary body, a structure supporting the lens of the eyeball. It fills both the anterior and the posteri ...

through a tear in

Descemet's membrane Descemet's membrane ( or the Descemet membrane) is the basement membrane that lies between the corneal proper substance, also called stroma, and the endothelial layer of the cornea. It is composed of different kinds of collagen (Type IV and VIII) ...

. Although a hydrops usually causes increased scarring of the cornea, occasionally it will benefit a patient by creating a flatter cone, aiding the fitting of contact lenses. Corneal transplantation is not usually indicated during corneal hydrops.

Signs and symptoms

The person experiences pain and a sudden severe clouding of vision, with the cornea taking on a translucent milky-white appearance known as a corneal hydrops.

Diagnosis

Patients are recommended to take a Sodium Chloride eye drop solution as well as a

Dexamethasone Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid medication used to treat rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, superior vena cav ...

solution for a period of 4-6 weeks, timeframes may vary depending on the severity of a patients condition. Once the medication cycle is complete and the cloud clears, scarring will be left on the cornea.

Management

The effect is normally temporary and after a period of six to eight weeks, the cornea usually returns to its former transparency. The recovery can be aided nonsurgically by bandaging with an

osmotic Osmosis (, ) is the spontaneous net movement or diffusion of solvent molecules through a selectively-permeable membrane from a region of high water potential (region of lower solute concentration) to a region of low water potential (region o ...

saline solution. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory topical may be used to reduce the pain and inflammation.

Research

Corneal hydrops might be caused by a tear in the recently discovered

Dua's layer Dua's layer, according to a 2013 paper by Harminder Singh Dua's group at the University of Nottingham, is a layer of the cornea that had not been detected previously. It is hypothetically thick, the fourth caudal layer, and located between the c ...

, a 15 micron thick layer between the corneal stroma and Descemet’s membrane, Harminder Dua suggests that this finding will affect corneal surgery, including penetrating keratoplasty, and understanding of corneal dystrophies and pathologies, such as acute hydrops.

References

{{Eye pathology Disorders of sclera and cornea Eye diseases